Dean Russell discusses Woodmere Avenue in Parliament

Watford MP Dean Russell raised the restriction in Woodmere Avenue in the House of Commons as he sought to find a solution to a problem facing drivers.

The width restriction in Woodmere Avenue is well-known in Watford because of the number of bollards drivers have to navigate.

It is designed to stop lorries and other large vehicles, except buses, from cutting through as well as slow down car drivers.

Woodmere Avenue width restriction

Mr Russell told MPs: "To describe this situation, there is a width restriction that has been in Woodmere Avenue for decades.

"And it is known as a bit of a landmark but not in a positive way. What happens is there is a massive bus route through the middle of the road, but then either side there are width restrictions for cars which increasingly I hear people saying they’ve scratched their car either recently or over the past few years."

Pictures taken only last week by the bollards show bits of vehicle wreckage left lying around.

The series of bollards that drivers have to pass through in Woodmere Avenue

Vehicle wreckage by the bollarda and other bits and pieces

During the adjournment debate held on March 23, Mr Russell told the Commons he "does not think it is right" that someone on their way to work or school or to the shops should be "worried" about damaging their vehicle, "because of the way a width restriction was designed decades ago".

"And the issue for me about is fairness", he added.

Although he recognised that Woodmere Avenue, just off the A41, was a local issue, the MP said the issue in the residential street raises wider questions about giving communities "a say" in what happens outside their front door.

He said: "These residents are living with this day in day out, living with the repercussions day in day out, yet they don’t have a say. Surely there is a way in which we can engage with local communities…?"

Dean Russell speaking in Parliament about the width restriction in Woodmere Avenue. Credit: Parliament TV

He also told the Commons about discussions he’s had with local authorities about removing the "invasive" measures, and introducing automatic number plate recognition cameras instead.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Russell told the Observer: "It was important to me to bring Woodmere Avenue up in Parliament as it has been an on-going issue for a number of years.

"My constituency office is very close, and I regularly see vehicles getting damaged – as well as cars blatantly driving through the bus lane.

"I am determined to see improvements and I remain in contact with the minister, as well as Hertfordshire County Council. Other local width restrictions such as the ones on Tudor Avenue and Bushey Mill Lane serve their purpose, without posing a serious risk to vehicles."